I don’t pretend to be an oracle when it comes to having the ultimate list of things to wear or the best stationery. But you’ve asked… (3 of you ) and so I sat down this morning to look through my notebooks/sketchbooks and I’ve scribbled a few ideas into my favourite piece of stationery here.
It makes dreaming on paper that little bit easier
Ah yes, the diary…. I’ll get to this later…but first I’ll share the few things I have been dreaming about finding with it. Oh and Wait…. I’m hoping you’ll share yours too. Genuinely…I’d really like to know.
So for me the things I’ve sketched initially into my diary for rounding up are…
Slim jeans…these deserve a post all to themselves to justify my love. Alison Mosshart and Lou Doillon are the quintessential pin ups here although I am gaining ground quickly… slim black jeans form the basis for almost ALL of my looks. (Alison Mosshart wears hers with Heidi Slimane men’s gold boots). I wear mine with tall statement leather pumps. They’re pure rock’ n roll! Currently my favourite black slim jeans are coming from Balmain, MiH, Topshop and Zara.
Cashmere… (another post awaits on the virtues of the perfect v-neck). There’s a place in Paris which does the best 100% cashmere v-necks (I think it’s the way they sit on the chest that makes them look French)… anyway I mostly buy second hand (my favourite finds are shrunken Ballantynes).
Vintage running shorts… I LOVE them. I think it’s that 70’s thing… the contours of vintage shorts against a running vest or shirt as opposed to that modern black lycra look. I imagine I’m in Charlie’s Angels (the original) chasing baddies around the park. Helps improve my time.
Really high shoes. I dream about them, there are so many to love and plenty of time to love them here and vintage bags or new ones that look vintage…it’s all about the leather and heritage and craftsmanship.
A trench… for Columbo type fashion missions and adventures. Yes Burberry…(I know, but I saw one from somewhere else last week that took my breath away).
Good nail polish. Is there anything more lovely than having nice nails to look down at when you type, write, eat??? I don’t spend much time sitting down for manicures so I’ve become quite good at my own. If you knew the amount of paint and ink that I get on my hands…. I have to change the polish every few days.
My diary…. I’ve written in the past of my great love of Liberty London, of how one of their leather covered diaries has become my birthday treat every year and people who know me will know that I’d rather one of these Barbara Wiggins notebooks than dinner of a bunch of flowers (it’s true).
My diary and sketchbooks sit apart from everything. They’re more ‘luxury stationary’ than my notebooks which I use when traveling (moleskins and Paul Smith). My leather covered notebooks and my Liberty London diary are my treats. They’re not cheap – there’s no getting around this – but they’re of such high quality and the leather smells so good I just can’t help myself loving them. And Liberty’s packaging and purple boxes are just so deluxe and wonderful. I box my diary up at the end of the year in its Liberty purple box and store it upright on my bookshelves.
Every artist, writer, and fashion designer I’ve ever sat down with lights up when you ask them to open their sketch books. There’s something very personal about the contents… a step by step visual record of each designer’s inspirations and process. One of my earliest experiences of this was sitting on the floor of Narciso Rodriguez‘s studio in New York as he talked me through his sketchbook process. I love his drawings and fluidity of his lines. He’s most creative when on holiday, sketching by the pool. BLISS!!!
So I think it’s time to turn to you now… I’m clearly missing loads here. Do you dream on paper…. doesn’t lovely stationery make dreaming on paper that little bit easier?
SJ says:
I’m such a huge fan, your writing is amazing. I love to dream on paper but i have no drawing skills so it looks like a child has attacked soembody’s journal :P xx
May 6, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Gisèle says:
Sounds like me xx
Or maybe you could be the next Jean Michel Basquiet http://godd.es/JeanMichel He stuck to his own style and peeps love it.
May 6, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Christine Morrow says:
Hi Gisele,
I like diaries so much I have two one small and one large. The small one was purchased in Avoca and is a Graphia diary. The other I got from Present and Correct because it’s both written in French and has pink tartan design on the front. I love writing and writing on good paper, Moleskine,Rhodia and Behance notebooks are also big favourites with me.
Friends buy me nice notebooks for poetry writing as well. One designer I like is Jill Bliss –
http://shop.jillbliss.com/paper-goods/notebook/journals/cat_31.html.
I think you have the gist of my obsession. Love your work Gisele, keep it up.
Christine x
May 6, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Gisèle says:
And I love the way really lovely paper feels against the side bit of my hand when I sketch and write; smooth and velvety. I want to understand people who DISlike highlighter jel pens and notebooks. Nice notebook choices in your house Christine. xx
May 6, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Christine Morrow says:
Thanks Gisele – I had a little peek at Liberty diaries, very tempted by them!!
Cxx
May 9, 2011 at 2:58 pm
RachaelH says:
Hello Gisele. On the subject of stationery, if ever you’re in Rome you might like my fave shop there called Fabriano on Via del Babuino (or look online at http://www.fabrianoboutique.com). The company was established in 1264, no less, and I can’t help but stock up on way too many of their lovely notebooks: the map-covered ones are particularly lovely as travel diaries and make great presents ( if you can bring yourself to give them away!) Ps Loving your work – the blog is brilliant!!
May 7, 2011 at 11:47 am
Gisèle says:
Thank You Rachael. I want to visit it asaaaaap. Love your link. Maybe I’ll need to bring an extra suitcase just for paper. xx
May 7, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Freda Lalic says:
I love your books so much, you find the best places, you are better than Lonely Planet for me and my friends. You inspire me G. The pictures and information you sahre here have inspired me to put so new many things on my To Do list. Real fashion and dreaming stuff. Please, please, continue sharing your Goddess world with us. You have no idea how it lifts my day. Off to buy some new notebooks tomorrow to start my happylist. xx F
May 7, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Gisèle says:
Hello. Thank You Freda. Looking forward to hearing about your happylist. xx
May 8, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Frances Johnstone says:
Beautiful photo, I don’t know whether to look at your drawings, the diary, or the gorgeous things you have sitting on your desk!
I love your work and after reading this I’m even a bigger fan. Love your books and this blog. Oh myyy it’s very beautiful.
May I… ask : ) I read this about you. Is it true? How come you’re not crazy with importance?
http://londonplinth.blogspot.com/2010/12/goddess-experience-how-print-came-to-be.html
Oh and I was in Paris recently and I took your books with me… I visited Melodies Graphiques on rue du Pont in Paris from your first book. I saw on Twitter where you said that the owner at Melodies Graphiques writes super calligraphy so I asked and he filled in a beautiful postcard for me. He was just super. Bought a beautiful notebook in Clin D’Oeil down the street too.
You have such wonderful travel experiences Gisele and you seem so lovely. I think I may be your number one fan.
PS.
Freda Lalic I’ll second what you’re saying.
Just beautiful. xoxo
May 8, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Gisèle says:
Frances: Fortunately I don’t think many people saw that : )
To answer your question. I don’t see myself as important at all. I just share things that catch my eye and write books about them. You have good taste in stationery, those shops are two of my favourites in Paris. I’m glad you had a lovely experience. Thanks for such kind words. xx
May 8, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Gisèle says:
Rule of being a writer….Don’t read your own press ever!!!! xxx
May 15, 2011 at 2:22 am
Camilla Rothchild says:
Love the post and love your diary. Mind me asking where did you get the little bottle of orange nail polish???
Thank You xx Camilla
May 9, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Freda Lalic says:
Forgive me if it seems presumptuous but I’d really love to see more of your illustrations. Think that might be a treat for us soon??? xF
June 17, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Brónagh says:
I have this notebook it’s small but thick. It has all Irish writers on it Samuel Beckett, W B Yeats, James Joyce etc and on the back it has some inspiring quotes by them. It is one of my favourite presents ever I adore it and bring it with me everywhere!
Love your blog and books!
December 10, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Gisèle says:
Love that you bring your notebook everywhere. Bet it’s gorgeous. X
December 10, 2011 at 9:48 pm